Master - Melinda Reese - Dragon Cobra Te - Rokyu-Dan ( 6th Degree Black Belt) - October-2016
2 years in a row! "Pre K4 Teacher of the Year, 2007 and 2008" - Melinda Reese

 
   
 
  

I am proud to be a Union Heights Elementary Kindergarten teacher for the Hamblen County School System. My educational background includes the following degrees: AS-Education - Walters State Community College; BS-Elementary Education - University of Tennessee, Knoxville; MS-Elementary Education - Tusculum College, Greeneville; EDS-Education Administration - Lincoln Memorial University. I have been an active leader of my Professional Association, Hamblen County Education Association, which is affiliated with TEA (Tennessee Education Association) and NEA (National Education Association). I am presently serving as HCEA's Co-President with Christiane Schmidt. For the past 12 years I have served on the Executive Board of my local, attended five NEA conventions and twelve TEA conventions. Other duties also include being Chief Spokesperson for our Negotiating/ Bargaining Team. I try to represent my local at state and local activities as much as possible. Other education activities or associations, which I am a member of include: Delta Kappa Gamma (Alpha Zeta Chapter); and International Reading Association (Lakeway Reading Council). I try to attend different conferences or professional development activities around the state. I have attended Tennessee's Kindergarten State Conference in Franklin, TN.
I could not do all that I do without the help of God, my church, my friends, and my loving family! I am happily married to Phillip D. Reese, Jr. We have a 10 year old son Johnathan. My parents Janet and Johnny Shelton help fill in the gaps. We are members of Bethel Baptist Church, where both my husband and I are Sunday School Teachers. My husband and son enjoy motorcycles and outdoor sports. And I love martial arts!


As a 14 year old teenager, my father thought that I needed to learn self defense and enrolled me in Russell Miller's Karate class. My instructor had to stop teaching, so he encouraged me to go to his Sensei's class. So I began my lifelong love of martial arts in Master William Mason's dojo and style "Dragon Cobra Te." At the age of eighteen, I earned my first degree black belt from Master Mason. I continued to study with Master Mason until he retired twelve years ago. I am so excited to be studying and learning once again with Master Mason and Instructor Naomi Mason. Being with my karate family is such a blessing! !


I feel that everyone should be active participants in life. If you want to be part of life, you must engage it! Your life is your CHOICE! I choose to be a lifelong learner!







Received Shodan Promotion in Seibukan Shorin Ryu 14-August-2014


Return to Training Partner's Page